Temperature differential applicator holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for items used to apply a temperature differential to a selected portion of the body of a user includes a first compartment formed of panels of flexible porous material and adapted to receive a heating pad therein. A pocket overlies the first compartment and is adapted to receive a moist cloth and retain same in a position having a center portion thereof exposed and the pocket is formed of an edge portion of one of the panels of the first compartment. A second compartment overlies the other panel of the first compartment and is adapted to receive cold objects, such as ice cubes or the like therein, and the second compartment is formed by an exterior flexible porous panel secured in overlying relation with the other panel of the first compartment. Fastening members are mounted on the panels forming the first and second compartments for closing same. Attachment members are mounted on the holder for removably attaching same to a selected portion of the body of a user with either the pocket or the exterior panel of the second compartment in engagement with the user.

United States Patent [191 Foster et al.

[ 51 Sept. 10, 1974 TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL APPLICATOR HOLDER [76] Inventors: Stephen F. Foster; Linda R. Foster,

both of 440 Tefft, Apt. 7, Topeka, Kans. 66607 [22] Filed: June 18, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 370,953

[52] US. Cl. 128/403, 128/268 [51] Int. Cl. A61f 7/04 [58] Field of Search 128/402, 403, 258, 268

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,145,286 7/1915 Appleton 128/258 X 1,732,380 10/1929 Sarason 128/403 X 2,495,114 l/l950 Leguillon et al. 128/403 UX Primary ExaminerLawrence W. Trapp Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fishburn, Gold & Litman [57] ABSTRACT A holder for items used to apply a temperature differential to a selected portion of the body of a user includes a first compartment formed of panels of flexible porous material and adapted to receive a heating pad therein. A pocket overlies the first compartment and is adapted to receive a moist cloth and retain same in a position having a center portion thereof exposed and the pocket is formed of an edge portion of one of the panels of the first compartment. A second compartment overlies the other panel of the first compartment and is adapted to receive cold objects, such as ice cubes or the like therein, and the second compartment is formed by an exterior flexible porous panel secured in overlying relation with the other panel of the first compartment. Fastening members are mounted on the panels forming the first and second compartments for. closing same. Attachment members are mounted on the holder for removably attaching same to a selected portion of the body of a user with either the pocket or the exterior panel of the second compartment in engagement with the user.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL APPLICATOR HOLDER The present invention relates to heating pad holders and more particularly to a holder for items used to apply heat or cold to a selected portion of the body of a user and which maybe removably attached to the selected portion of the body of a user.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a holder for items used to apply a temperature differential to a selected portion of the body of a user; to provide such a holder which will permit movement of the user while receiving application of the temperature differential, such as turning in bed; to provide such a holder adapted to apply moist heat to a selected portion of the body of a user; to provide such a holder which is removably attached to a selected portion of the body of a user with either side thereof in engagement with the user.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include 'anexemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrates various objects and features of the heating pad holder.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a holder for items used to apply heat or cold to a selected'portion of the body of a user and embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken on line 22, FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a bag for cold items and which is adapted to be received in the holder.

Referring more in detail to the drawings: c

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a holder for items used to apply a temperature differential to a selected portion of the body of auser (not shown). In the illustrated structure, the holder 1 includes a first compartment 2 formed of flexible porous (fabric) panels 3 and 4 and the first compartment2 is adapted to receive. a hot water bottle, heating pad, or the like (not shown) therein. A pocket 5 overlies the first compartment 2 and is adapted to receive a liquid containing or vapor. producing member, such as a moist cloth, (not shown) and-retain same in a position having a center portion of the moist cloth exposed. The pocket 5 is formed of an edge portion 6 of one of the panels, for example panel 3, of the first compartment 2. A second compartment 7 overlies the other panel-4 of the first compartment 2 and isa dapted to receive cold objects, such as ice cubes or the like (not shown) therein and the second compartment 7 is formed by an exterior fabric panel 8 secured in overlying relation with the other panel 4 of the first compartment 2. Fastening members 9 and 10 are mounted on the panels forming the first and second compartments 2 and 7 respectively ing to selected body portions. The holder 1 is illustrated as generally square or rectangular with the panels 3 and 4 defining the first compartment 2 being positioned in facing relation and preferably formed of multi-layered material. One layer of thepanels 3 and 4 preferably is formed of a non-woven, water repellent flexible fabric, such-as plastic, rubber, or the like, and the other layer is a fabric of cotton, wool or other cloth bonded thereto. In the illustrated structure, the cloth fabric layers of the panels 3 and 4 are in facing relation whereby the heating pad is in engagement with the cloth fabric layers when in the first compartment 2.

The generally rectangular panels 3 and 4 are suitably joined together along certain peripheral edges thereof,

for example, stitched together along certainside edges thereof with a side edge portion being open to provide an access opening 12 to the first compartment 2. The access opening 12 is closed by the fastening members 9 to retain a hot water bottle, heating pad or the like (not shown) within the first compartment 2. Any suitable means may be employed for closing the access opening 12, such as a zipper, a plurality of spaced snaps,-cooperating hook and loop tape fasteners, or the like.

The pocket 5 is formed on the exterior side of one of the panels, for example, panel 3, and in the illustrated structure, the exterior side of the panel 3 is the nonwoven layer of water repellent material. The edge portion 6 is positioned in overlying relation with the panel 3 and is also a multi-layered'material with a non-woven flexible fabric layer of water repellent materal in facing relation with the non-woven flexible fabric layer of water repellent material of the panel 3. The edge portion 6 has a cloth fabric on the exterior side thereof. The edge portion 6 preferably has a reinforcing fabric 14 positioned between the non-woven fabric layer and the cloth fabric layer to thereby increase the strength of the edge portion 6 and better retain peripheral edge portions of the moist cloth or towel (not shown) within the pocket 5.

The exterior fabric panel 8 forming the second compartment 7 is also preferably a multi-layered material having a non-woven fabric layer of water repellent material in facing relation with the non-woven fabric layer of water repellent material of the other panel 4. The exterior fabric panel 8 is illustrated as having a cloth fabric layer on the exterior side thereof whereby the exterior side of the second compartment 7 may be placed in engagement with a selected portion of the body of the user.

i 'The exterior fabric panel 8 is illustrated as a rectangular panel stitched to the panels 3 and 4 of the first compartment 2 and also stitched along the same three side edges thereof with the fourth side being open to form an access opening 15 to the second compartment 7 which is adjacent the access opening 12 to the first compartment'2. v

The fastening members are preferably substantially moisture proof to permit ice cubes or the like to be placed in thesecond compartment 7 and remain therein for an extended period of time while the holder 1 is in engagement with a selected portion of the body of a user. The fastening members 10 are substantially similar to the fastening members 9 of the first compartment 2 except that the fastening members 10 are preferably continuous across the access opening 15.

' The second compartment 7 is particularly adapted to receive therein a bag 16 adapted to contain coldobjects, such as ice cubes, or the like, and the bag 16 is preferably formed of non-woven flexible fabric, such as plastic, rubber or the like, which is substantially resistant to passage of moisture therethrough. The bag 16 has an access opening 17 to permit placing of cold objects, such as ice cubes, or the like, therein and there are suitable fastening rnembers 18 mounted on the bag 16 at the access opening 17 thereof for closing same to retain the cold objects therein.

The attachment members 11 mount the holder 1 on a selected portion of the body of a user with either the pocket 5 or the exterior panel 8 of the second compartment 7 in engagement with the user. In the illustrated structure, loops 19 are positioned at corners of the holder 1 and are suitably secured thereto, as by stitching. A respective ring member 20 is mounted in each of the loops 19 and each ring member 20 has one end of a strap portion .21 secured thereto, as by stitching. The strap portions 21 each have the free end portions thereof adapted to be connected together with suitable fastening members 22.

The materials of the holder 1 are each electrical insulators whereby the body of the person using the holder 1 is protected against accidental electrical shock, such as due to a possible short circuit of an electrical heating pad (not shown).

The holder 1 may be mounted on any desired portion of the body of a person and may include one or more intermediate attachment members 25 adapted to extend around the desired portion of the body. The intermediate attachment members 25 each include a pair of opposed loops 26 and 27 positioned at respective opposite side edges of the holder 1 and are suitably secured thereto, as by stitching. Ring members28 and 29 are mounted in the loops 26 and 27 respectively and each of the ring members 28 and 29 has one end of strap portions 30 and 31 respectively secured thereto, as by stitching. The strap portions 30 and 31 each have the free end portions thereof adapted to be connected together with suitable fastening members 32, such as hook and loop tape fasteners or the like.

In using a holder constructed as illustrated and described for the application of heat to the body of a user includes placing a heating pad, hot water bottle, or the like (not shown) in the first compartment 2 and closing the access opening 12 thereto. When it is desired to combine theapplication of heat with moisture, a suitable moist cloth, such as a wet towel or the like, is placed in the pocket 5 and the holder 1 is attached to the selected portion of the body of the user where heat is desired by means of the attachment members 11. When it is desired to apply cold to a selected portion of the body of a user, such as for bruises, headaches,

. 6 fever, or the like, the cold ObJflCtS, such as ice cubes,

are placed in the second compartment 7 or in the bag 16 which is then placed in the second compartment 7 and the exterior side of the exterior fabric panel 8 is positioned in engagement with the respective portion of the body of the user and the attachment members ll are connected together around the body of the user.

It is to be understood that while We have illustrated and described one form of our invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What we claim and desired to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. A differential temperature applicator holder for attachment to a portion of the body of a user and comprising:

a. a compartment adapted to receive a temperature differential applicator therein, said compartment being defined by a pair of facing flexible panels joined together along certain respective peripheral edges thereof, said compartment having an access opening thereto;

b. a pocket in overlying relation with said compartment and defined by an edge portion of one of said panels, said edge portion extending from the peripheral edge of said one panel, said pocket being adapted to retain edge'portions of a vapor producing member in a position having a center portion thereof exposed;

c. means mounted on said facing flexible panels adjacent the access opening to said compartment for closing same to retain said temperature differential applicator therein; and

d. means mounted on said panels for removably attaching one of said compartment and said pocket to a selected portion of the body of the user, said I pocket being in a position having the vapor producing member in engagement with the body of the user.

2. A differential temperature applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said one of said pair of panels is formed of a nonwoven flexible material whereby said one panel is substantially resistant to passage of moisture therethorugh; and

b. said edge portion of said one panel has a covering of cloth fabric engageable :with the body of the user.

3. A differential temperature applicator as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. a second compartment in overlying relation with said first named compartment and adapted to receive cold objects therein, said second compartment having an access opening thereto; and

b. means mounted on said second compartment adjacent the access opening thereto for closing same to retain the cold objects therein.

4. A differential temperature applicator as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said second compartment is defined by a pair of facing flexible panels; and

b. said pair of panels are formed of a non-woven flexible material whereby said second compartment is substantially resistant to passage of moisture into and out of said second compartment through said panels defining same.

5. A differential temperature applicator as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

a. said one of said pair of panels defining said first named compartment is formed of a non-woven flexible material whereby said one panel is substantially resistant to passage of moisture therethro'ugh;

b. said edge portion of said one panel has a covering of cloth fabric engageable with the body of the user; and

0. one of the pair of panels defining said second compartment has a covering of cloth fabric engageable with the body of the user whereby the heating pad cover is adapted for application of either heat or cold to a user.

6. A differential temperature applicator as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

a. said second compartment is adapted to receive therein a bag formed of non-woven flexible material and adapted to contain cold objects therein; and

b. said bag has an access opening and means for closing same.

7. A heating pad holder for attachment to a selected portion of the body of a user and comprising:

a. a first compartment adapted to receive a heating pad therein, said first compartment being defined by a pair of facing flexible panels joined together along certain respective peripheral edges thereof, said first compartment having an access opening thereto between one edge of each of said panels; a pocket in overlying relation with one of said panels of said first compartment and defined by an edge portion of the one panel, said edge portion extending from the peripheral edge of said one panel, said pocket being adapted to retain edge portions of a moist cloth in a position having a center portion thereof exposed and engageable with a selected portion of the body of a user;

. means mounted on said panels and positioned between the one edge of each of said panels for closing said access opening to retain the heating pad therein;

d. a second compartment in overlying relation with the other of said panels of said first compartment and adapted to receive cold objects therein, said second compartment having an access opening thereto positioned adjacent the access opening to said first compartment; and

e. means mounted on said second compartment adjacent the access opening thereto for closing same to retain the cold objects therein.

8. A heating pad holder as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

a. said one of said panels of said first compartment is formed of a non-woven flexible material whereby said one panel is substantially resistant to passage of moisture therethrough;

b. said pocket forming edge portion of said one panel of said first compartment having a covering of cloth fabric engageable with the body of the user; and

c. said second compartment is defined by an exterior panel overlying the other of said panels of said first compartment and having a covering of cloth fabric engageable with the body of the user.

9. A heating pad holder as set forth in claim 8 wherein:

a. facing portions of said exterior panel and the other of said panels of said first compartment are formed of non-woven flexible material whereby said second compartment is substantially resistant to passage of moisture through said panels defining same; and

b. said second compartment is adapted to receive therein a bag formed of non-woven flexible material and adapted to contain cold objects therein and having an access opening and means for closing same to retain the cold objects therein.

10. A heating pad holder as set forth in claim 7 including means on said first compartment and said pocket and said second compartment for removably attaching one of said second compartment and said pocket to a selected portion of the body of a user, said pocket being in a position having the moist cloth in engagement with the body of the user. 

1. A differential temperature applicator holder for attachment to a portion of the body of a user and comprising: a. a compartment adapted to receive a temperature differential applicator therein, said compartment being defined by a pair of facing flexible panels joined together along certain respective peripheral edges thereof, said compartment having an access opening thereto; b. a pocket in overlying relation with said compartment and defined by an edge portion of one of said panels, said edge portion extending from the peripheral edge of said one panel, said pocket being adapted to retain edge portions of a vapor producing member in a position having a center portion thereof exposed; c. means mounted on said facing flexible panels adjacent the access opening to said compartment for closing same to retain said temperature differential applicator therein; and d. means mounted on said panels for removably attaching one of said compartment and said pocket to a selected portion of the body of the user, said pocket being in a position having the vapor producing member in engagement with the body of the user.
 2. A differential temperature applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said one of said pair of panels is formed of a nonwoven flexible material whereby said one panel is substantially resistant to passage of moisture therethorugh; and b. said edge portion of said one panel has a covering of cloth fabric engageable with the body of the user.
 3. A differential temperature applicator as set forth in claim 1 including: a. a second compartment in overlying relation with said first named compartment and adapted to receive cold objects therein, said second compartment having an access opening thereto; and b. means mounted on said second compartment adjacent the access opening thereto for closing same to retain the cold objects therein.
 4. A differential temperature applicator as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said second compartment is defined by a pair of facing flexible panels; and b. said pair of panels are formed of a non-woven flexible material whereby said second compartment is substantially resistant to passage of moisture into and out of said second compartment through said panels defining same.
 5. A differential temperature applicator as set forth in claim 4 wherein: a. said one of said pair of panels defining said first named compartment is formed of a non-woven flexible material whereby said one panel is substantially resistant to passage of moisture therethrough; b. said edge portion of said one panel has a covering of cloth fabric engageable with the body of the user; and c. one of the pair of panels defining said second compartment has a covering of cloth fabric engageable with the body of the user whereby the heating pad cover is adapted for application of either heat or cold to a user.
 6. A differential temperature applicator as set forth in claim 5 wherein: a. said second compartment is adapted to receive therein a bag formed of non-woven flexible material and adapted to contain cold objects therein; and b. said bag has an access opening and means for closing same.
 7. A heating pad holder for attachment to a selected portion of the body of a user and comprising: a. a first compartment adapted to receive a heating pad therein, said first compartment being defined by a pair of facing flexible panels joined together along certain respective peripheral edges thereof, said first compartment having an access opening thereto between one edge of each of said panels; b. a pocket in overlying relation with one of said panels of said first coMpartment and defined by an edge portion of the one panel, said edge portion extending from the peripheral edge of said one panel, said pocket being adapted to retain edge portions of a moist cloth in a position having a center portion thereof exposed and engageable with a selected portion of the body of a user; c. means mounted on said panels and positioned between the one edge of each of said panels for closing said access opening to retain the heating pad therein; d. a second compartment in overlying relation with the other of said panels of said first compartment and adapted to receive cold objects therein, said second compartment having an access opening thereto positioned adjacent the access opening to said first compartment; and e. means mounted on said second compartment adjacent the access opening thereto for closing same to retain the cold objects therein.
 8. A heating pad holder as set forth in claim 7 wherein: a. said one of said panels of said first compartment is formed of a non-woven flexible material whereby said one panel is substantially resistant to passage of moisture therethrough; b. said pocket forming edge portion of said one panel of said first compartment having a covering of cloth fabric engageable with the body of the user; and c. said second compartment is defined by an exterior panel overlying the other of said panels of said first compartment and having a covering of cloth fabric engageable with the body of the user.
 9. A heating pad holder as set forth in claim 8 wherein: a. facing portions of said exterior panel and the other of said panels of said first compartment are formed of non-woven flexible material whereby said second compartment is substantially resistant to passage of moisture through said panels defining same; and b. said second compartment is adapted to receive therein a bag formed of non-woven flexible material and adapted to contain cold objects therein and having an access opening and means for closing same to retain the cold objects therein.
 10. A heating pad holder as set forth in claim 7 including means on said first compartment and said pocket and said second compartment for removably attaching one of said second compartment and said pocket to a selected portion of the body of a user, said pocket being in a position having the moist cloth in engagement with the body of the user. 